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My Messages app is white with a grid on my iPhone, could it be compromised?

So, the messages app is still there and is on my home screen, I know it is there because I can enter it and text people the same, but the icon turned into this weird white icon with a grid on it, the kind of icon you see when your app has been offloaded for too long. I tried powering off my phone but to no avail, could someone please help. I think this might have to do with the fact that I was hacked because although most are scams I got a virus pop up a few days ago after downloading a pdf so I think I may have downloaded a virus so I reset my phone but it is still really glitchy and just not the way it was before, so I guess I am also asking how to get rid of the virus


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iPhone 11, iOS 17

Posted on Jun 6, 2024 3:27 PM

Reply
1 reply

Jun 7, 2024 12:48 AM in response to that_girl112

If you feel an unauthorized person/app is remotely using, controlling or monitoring your device, then that is possible only if you have done one or more of the following Don'ts...


  1. Don't hand over an iPhone to kids or to a stranger without Enabling Guided Access
  2. Don't share Apple IDs
  3. Don't Jailbreak
  4. Don't share sensitive information pertaining to your device
  5. Don't give in to Phishing
  6. Don't plug in your device in Airports and Public places through third-party cables and trust the device. Beware of Juice Jacking. (Especially in India)
  7. Don't leave your iPhone unlocked and unattended in public places like offices, schools, malls, etc.


If one of the above is true then quickly change the Apple ID Password and Return iPhone settings to their defaults.



Keep the iPhone updated to the latest iOS always and never Jailbreak. That's it.


iOS / iPadOS devices cannot be hacked or infected with Virus / Malware / Spyware *** unless you have intentionally downloaded spurious software or unauthorized apps directly from the internet and installed them on your device or/and have Jailbroken


It (Hacking) also depends on how careful you are in sharing sensitive and valuable information pertaining to your iPhone such as Passcode, Password, etc with your friends and family members.


Be judicious when sharing the device's sensitive and valuable information with friends and family members.



**The primary reason for this is Sandboxing. All third-party apps are “sandboxed”, so they are restricted from accessing files stored by other apps or from making changes to the device. Sandboxing is designed to prevent apps from gathering or modifying information stored by other apps.


Security of runtime process in iOS and iPadOS - Apple Support



The sandbox on an iPhone is a security feature that creates a restricted environment for each app to run in isolation from other apps and the operating system. It is a core component of iOS's security architecture and plays a crucial role in making iPhones more secure.



If you doubt the authenticity of the information provided earlier, you have two alternatives:

  1. Report the hacking incident to local law enforcement authorities and actively pursue the case.
  2. Accept the credibility of the information; it is impervious to hacking. Just as some individuals hold unconventional beliefs, such as a flat Earth or moon landing denial, one has the freedom to believe in anything. The choice ultimately rests with you in this open and free world.


My Messages app is white with a grid on my iPhone, could it be compromised?

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